Today I was feeling foul – or fowl – after having a cold, muscle clinching, joint locking morning at the pool. It was time for lunch and my mood left a lot to be desired. We wanted to stay in the NoHo area because B had to return and pick up some books at the library. I was too hungry and nasty to go to the library first so I drove up Lankersheim and parked where there were a number of restaurants. We saw a Panara and decided to go there for some black bean soup which they advertise on their Tuesday menu. We walked in and there appears to be no black bean soup on the board. I accuse B of making a mistake in the day. True to form, she gets a menu and shows me that she was correct. I ask the person behind the cash register if they have black bean soup. She replies that they will have it later. I, in my way – remember my mood – told her that will not help me now. I looked at B and said that we should leave. B was fine with that. I said goodbye and the woman said amazingly – you’re not staying? I said no because we came for black bean soup and you don’t have it. Out we walked and she stood there with her mouth open. I think another rather disturbing fact about this is that Panara is supposed to have the freshest food but it was obvious that they were getting rid of yesterday’s soup before they put out today’s.
That left us still hungry so we walked a little and saw Big Wangs. We had no idea what to expect. We walked in and found a sports bar with quite a nice menu. Usually we don’t frequent sports bars but the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament is on and I am a fan so we decided to stay and my mood began to improve. It improved even more when very quickly we were asked what we wanted to drink and we got our Diet Cokes, very large glasses, rather quickly.
As I perused the menu, I saw some very unusual items. Cheeseburger quesadilla as well as other fillings but no plain cheese or chicken - buffalo chicken they did have. They had about 4 different kinds of sliders. B picked the meatball sliders which come with fries. Since this is a wing place, I chose the wings without any sauce. They had 7 different sauces. I sat and pondered these for quite a while – quite a while since it took quite a while for the waitress to come and take our orders. I decided on Teriyaki sauce on the side.
We also waited a bit longer than usual for our meal but it was hardly noticed. I had a second huge glass of Diet Coke and watched the tennis matches while B played with her iPhone. My mood was now curmudgeonly as usual. B’s meal came with 4 very good sliders filled with Italian meatballs which she loved. She said she would go back there and have them again tomorrow. The fries looked very good as they were the thinly sliced ones. However, B said that some of them were crispy but many were somewhat soggy. She said they needed to change their oil. OK. I have no knowledge that old oil causes soggy fries but she knows.
My wings consisted of 6 of the leg part, none of those parts that have no meat. That was a big plus. They were very good, not very greasy but also not very tasteful. I think that is because all of their sauces are very tasty. The teriyaki was and that helped the wings considerably. My meal was an appetizer so it came with two pieces of celery and two pieces of carrots and some nice ranch dressing. I chose the wings with the bone in but they also have boneless wings.
They have two soups – chili and French Onion. They have some salads and some wraps and sandwiches as well as pizza and the unusual quesadillas. It is a sports bar so there are TVs all over. Prices are reasonable enough. Many things had double entendres – such as the name of the restaurant – their motto, “size matters” - the restrooms called cocks and chicks – this is a macho rather sexist restaurant but there were plenty of women in there. I would go back at lunch if I was in the neighborhood but not anywhere close to happy hour because I think the place will really be jumping and loud. I left there feeling much better than I did when I came in.
Web site: http://bigwangs.com
Showing posts with label San Fernando Valley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Fernando Valley. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Shiki Sushi
If you like sushi and you are in the valley – Studio City to be exact – during the lunch hour, make sure you go to Shiki Sushi which is hidden in the back of mini-mall off Ventura Boulevard, east of Coldwater Canyon just past Sportsman’s Lodge. They have a sushi lunch that ranges in price from $7.95 and I think the highest one was $14.95. Come hungry and be prepared to eat some of the best sushi I have eaten.
As usual BK and I (I now use the initials BK because there are many people who have name starting with B) ordered Diet Coke. This time we were given a 12 oz. can that cost $1.50. Sure beats the one we had last week which was smaller and more expensive. I would still prefer the glass that can be refilled. BK ordered that $7.95 lunch (main dish being a shrimp tempura roll) and I ordered the $10.95 lunch (main dish being rainbow roll).
We started out with a bean sprout salad of sorts and miso soup. For the first time that I can remember, BK finished the soup. It was salty but that is what miso soup is. There was no tofu in it but there were a few rice noodles, some spinach and a little onion. There seemed to be something wrong with the way they served our food. After the soup and bean sprouts, we got a salad consisting of lettuce and one tomato soaked in French dressing. That we didn’t care for. It would have been fine if there was less dressing. Then I got my next course, three pieces of sushi – one piece of tuna, one piece of yellowtail and one piece of salmon. It was terrific. The fish that they put on top of the rice was huge, well over the ends of the rice, and it melted in my mouth. BK watched me eat. We waited for some time when our waitress came with BK’s second course and her entrée. Her second course, a California roll – 8 pieces, and her entrée, shrimp tempura roll of 6 extra large pieces was brought all at the same time. And I sat with nothing. And I waited as BK was thoroughly enjoying her meal. Finally, the waitress came over and told me that my rainbow roll would be out soon. It wasn’t too long before I had it and it was wonderful. If you don’t know, a rainbow roll is a California roll with strips of tuna, yellowtail and salmon on the top. It was huge and just wonderful. I ate every bit as did BK.
This food is a bargain and it is excellent sushi. I am not a connoisseur never having been to the really expensive sushi restaurant. I am comparing this to the medium priced sushi and this beats every one coming and going. The service left something to be desired but the food did not. The place was very crowded which may be one reason for the way we were served. I don’t think they have specials like this in the evening. If you just ordered the rainbow roll by itself, the cost is $10.95. Go for lunch and enjoy.
As usual BK and I (I now use the initials BK because there are many people who have name starting with B) ordered Diet Coke. This time we were given a 12 oz. can that cost $1.50. Sure beats the one we had last week which was smaller and more expensive. I would still prefer the glass that can be refilled. BK ordered that $7.95 lunch (main dish being a shrimp tempura roll) and I ordered the $10.95 lunch (main dish being rainbow roll).
We started out with a bean sprout salad of sorts and miso soup. For the first time that I can remember, BK finished the soup. It was salty but that is what miso soup is. There was no tofu in it but there were a few rice noodles, some spinach and a little onion. There seemed to be something wrong with the way they served our food. After the soup and bean sprouts, we got a salad consisting of lettuce and one tomato soaked in French dressing. That we didn’t care for. It would have been fine if there was less dressing. Then I got my next course, three pieces of sushi – one piece of tuna, one piece of yellowtail and one piece of salmon. It was terrific. The fish that they put on top of the rice was huge, well over the ends of the rice, and it melted in my mouth. BK watched me eat. We waited for some time when our waitress came with BK’s second course and her entrée. Her second course, a California roll – 8 pieces, and her entrée, shrimp tempura roll of 6 extra large pieces was brought all at the same time. And I sat with nothing. And I waited as BK was thoroughly enjoying her meal. Finally, the waitress came over and told me that my rainbow roll would be out soon. It wasn’t too long before I had it and it was wonderful. If you don’t know, a rainbow roll is a California roll with strips of tuna, yellowtail and salmon on the top. It was huge and just wonderful. I ate every bit as did BK.
This food is a bargain and it is excellent sushi. I am not a connoisseur never having been to the really expensive sushi restaurant. I am comparing this to the medium priced sushi and this beats every one coming and going. The service left something to be desired but the food did not. The place was very crowded which may be one reason for the way we were served. I don’t think they have specials like this in the evening. If you just ordered the rainbow roll by itself, the cost is $10.95. Go for lunch and enjoy.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Souplantation
I had decided not to post any reviews of restaurants that I frequent but I may do that once in a while. I also had decided not to post any reviews of national chain restaurants unless something wonderful or terrible happens at them. In one previous review I did mention The Cheesecake Factory but I really didn't review it. So, now one of the restaurants that I probably go to a little less than once a month - Souplantation.
Do you sometimes just hanker for a really good salad bar? Go to Souplantation.
Do you like excellent soups? Go to Souplantation.
Do you like pretty good muffins, bread and other baked goods? Go to Souplantation.
Do you like mediocre pasta? Go to Souplantation.
Do you like really creamy frozen yogurt? Go to Souplantation
Do you like all-you-can-eat restaurants that have healthy choices? Go to Souplantation.
I do not like salads. I go out of my not to eat them or many vegetables. There was a time in my life that I forced myself to eat them but suddenly I realized what I was doing and went back to not eating them unless they are well disguised. Here I can disguised them very well with all sorts of stuff in my salad. Every time I have been there the vegies are always really fresh as is everything else.
I love soup - almost any kind of soup so this is nirvana for me. There is healthy, low fat soup as well as delicious creamy soup, usually six types. I have loved them all but, then again, like live musicals, there is hardly any that I don't love.
Here is a tip - join Club Vegie. There are many coupons that come through email for members. There is also a free birthday coupon. And if you are over 60, you always get 10% off the bill. I go most often to the one in Porter Ranch because I like it the most. I first found Souplantation when we lived in El Segundo and went to the one in Marina Del Rey. I was not as impressed by the ones in Brentwood or Pasadena. Enjoy the soup and salad and muffins and brownies and frozen yogurt and fruit and numerous kinds of drinks and did I mention the baked potatoes?
Do you sometimes just hanker for a really good salad bar? Go to Souplantation.
Do you like excellent soups? Go to Souplantation.
Do you like pretty good muffins, bread and other baked goods? Go to Souplantation.
Do you like mediocre pasta? Go to Souplantation.
Do you like really creamy frozen yogurt? Go to Souplantation
Do you like all-you-can-eat restaurants that have healthy choices? Go to Souplantation.
I do not like salads. I go out of my not to eat them or many vegetables. There was a time in my life that I forced myself to eat them but suddenly I realized what I was doing and went back to not eating them unless they are well disguised. Here I can disguised them very well with all sorts of stuff in my salad. Every time I have been there the vegies are always really fresh as is everything else.
I love soup - almost any kind of soup so this is nirvana for me. There is healthy, low fat soup as well as delicious creamy soup, usually six types. I have loved them all but, then again, like live musicals, there is hardly any that I don't love.
Here is a tip - join Club Vegie. There are many coupons that come through email for members. There is also a free birthday coupon. And if you are over 60, you always get 10% off the bill. I go most often to the one in Porter Ranch because I like it the most. I first found Souplantation when we lived in El Segundo and went to the one in Marina Del Rey. I was not as impressed by the ones in Brentwood or Pasadena. Enjoy the soup and salad and muffins and brownies and frozen yogurt and fruit and numerous kinds of drinks and did I mention the baked potatoes?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Hugo's Restaurant
Hugo’s Restaurant
B and I decided to have dinner at a place we frequent, Hugo's. We go to the one on Riverside and Coldwater Canyon because we often walk there. This time we drove. One reason for walking is the difficulty of parking. It is a popular restaurant and the parking lot is often filled. Luckily, probably because we were early on a Saturday night, there was parking space available. By the time we left, the lot was almost full.
Hugo's is not a place to go for a quiet, intimate meal. It can get rather noisy. There is a somewhat outside eating area which looks like a veranda around part of the restaurant and is enclosed when the weather is poor. We chose to eat indoors. Hugo’s has many choices including vegan, vegetarian and plenty for us carnivores. They also have numerous teas available. We were seated quickly and were served our Diet Cokes immediately. I had to search the menu because I wanted something I had never had before. They had a special menu but nothing there appealed to me. The waiter was very patient as he kept returning when it looked like I had decided. I finally chose Hugo’s shepherd’s pie with turkey. I had the choice of turkey, meat or tofu. B wanted her usual - Pasta Mama - which consists of pasta, eggs, lots of garlic, spices and parmesan cheese.
We were given warm multi-grain rolls which are always delicious while we waited. Our Diet Coke glasses were also refilled without our asking. When the food came, B said hers was as delicious as always. My pie was made up of turkey cubes, various vegetables (zucchini, broccoli, and more all diced in very small pieces), thin mushroom gravy all covered with mashed potatoes and melted parmesan cheese browned on the top. It was really lovely looking. I was also served a side salad, very large for a side salad, made up of various lettuces and covered with a very good vinaigrette dressing. I am not a salad eater unless there is a lot of stuff in the salad but I tasted this and really liked it. B and I shared the salad. The shepherd’s pie was excellent. It was tasty and amazingly light. Our portions were large enough that we both took home half our meals. When we heated them up the next day, they were still delicious.
Hugo’s is not cheap, as far as price goes. However, they use only quality ingredients and I have always felt the food was worth the cost. I would also recommend the hamburgers and the oatmeal frittata which is unique and wonderful. They have a full menu on line ( http://www.hugosrestaurant.com/ ) and also have a restaurant in West Hollywood. I will return many times again as I still have items I have not tried on this varied menu.
B and I decided to have dinner at a place we frequent, Hugo's. We go to the one on Riverside and Coldwater Canyon because we often walk there. This time we drove. One reason for walking is the difficulty of parking. It is a popular restaurant and the parking lot is often filled. Luckily, probably because we were early on a Saturday night, there was parking space available. By the time we left, the lot was almost full.
Hugo's is not a place to go for a quiet, intimate meal. It can get rather noisy. There is a somewhat outside eating area which looks like a veranda around part of the restaurant and is enclosed when the weather is poor. We chose to eat indoors. Hugo’s has many choices including vegan, vegetarian and plenty for us carnivores. They also have numerous teas available. We were seated quickly and were served our Diet Cokes immediately. I had to search the menu because I wanted something I had never had before. They had a special menu but nothing there appealed to me. The waiter was very patient as he kept returning when it looked like I had decided. I finally chose Hugo’s shepherd’s pie with turkey. I had the choice of turkey, meat or tofu. B wanted her usual - Pasta Mama - which consists of pasta, eggs, lots of garlic, spices and parmesan cheese.
We were given warm multi-grain rolls which are always delicious while we waited. Our Diet Coke glasses were also refilled without our asking. When the food came, B said hers was as delicious as always. My pie was made up of turkey cubes, various vegetables (zucchini, broccoli, and more all diced in very small pieces), thin mushroom gravy all covered with mashed potatoes and melted parmesan cheese browned on the top. It was really lovely looking. I was also served a side salad, very large for a side salad, made up of various lettuces and covered with a very good vinaigrette dressing. I am not a salad eater unless there is a lot of stuff in the salad but I tasted this and really liked it. B and I shared the salad. The shepherd’s pie was excellent. It was tasty and amazingly light. Our portions were large enough that we both took home half our meals. When we heated them up the next day, they were still delicious.
Hugo’s is not cheap, as far as price goes. However, they use only quality ingredients and I have always felt the food was worth the cost. I would also recommend the hamburgers and the oatmeal frittata which is unique and wonderful. They have a full menu on line ( http://www.hugosrestaurant.com/ ) and also have a restaurant in West Hollywood. I will return many times again as I still have items I have not tried on this varied menu.
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